I’ve shared this with a few friends so I’m putting this out into digital universe. Remember, you heard it here first…..
The concept is fairly easy. It’s training (not all of the time) when the conditions aren’t ideal. Going out of my way to be uncomfortable and struggle.
Why? Because only training when the conditions are ideal or I feel good doesn’t help when an issue happens during a race (and it normally does).
Some examples of what I’ve done to improve my resilience…
Starting a Half Marathon training run having not fuelled the night before, taking no food or water on the run. Why? I wanted to try and simulate the second half of a marathon that I was training for (i.e. low fuel reserves)
Running with a fairly recent and open blister. No plaster. Why? To learn that it’s OK to run on a blister.
Running after very little sleep. Why? Because sometimes I’ll be tired during a race.
Running on strange surfaces and inclines, sideways along a hill, etc. Why? Good for joints and practice for if that happens on race day.
Running with a hangover. Not feeling like running. Dehydrated. Why? To prove that I can.
Running in really bad weather (rain/wind). Why? To prove that I can, come race day it may be wet and windy.
Running with the wrong equipment/gear (i.e. too cold, too hot, too wet). Why? To know that it’s OK on race day to have the wrong gear.
Running with direct sun (i.e. no hat). Why? To get used to times where I will forget a hat and be OK with running with full sun on me. Too often I train during cool months for a spring run where the sun is out/hot, my body isn’t used to it.
Spending a weekend of running with very little fuel or water. Why? To experience fatigue. I actually experienced the ‘wall’ in my final 2km gentle jog home.
Running several days in a row. Why? To learn to run on tired legs.
Basically, any time that I think ‘no’ is an opportunity to say ‘yes’ and be uncomfortable. This applies to life too, not just running.
My Inner Self 